Developer 68 Ventures got a green light to bring a $30 million luxury hotel to Old Towne Daphne.

The hotel, named the Fortuna Hotel, will be located on Daphne Avenue across from the U.S. Post Office. According to plans, the hotel will be three stories and will hold 68 rooms along with the additions of a 4,500-square-foot upscale dining venue and a custom barn venue available as event space.

During their regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, Daphne City Council unanimously approved the proposal with no one from the public giving feedback. The ordinance includes an $8 million tax incentive package, where lodging tax revenue generated by the hotel will be shared between the city and the business. Under the package, 25% will go to the city while 75% will go to the developer for up to a period of 25 years or until the $8 million has paid out.

City leaders have stated the project will not be using local taxpayer money and shared optimism that it will help boost the local economy and bring more visitors to the area.

"This is a great place for business and people to come into Daphne and have a boutique hotel experience in our Old Towne area," Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune told GCM. "It's gonna really highlight our Old Towne and drive people to enjoy our great restaurants and retail and all the other things Old Towne has to offer."

The hope is that construction will begin by next summer, with the hotel expecting to open in 2029.